Object Details
- T. A. T. Productions
- O'Connor, Carroll
- Description
- Wing chair used by character Archie Bunker on the television sitcom, All in the Family, 1970-1978. The upholstered, wood-framed chair was purchased for the show from a thrift store in Southern California and used in the show's production until the final season, when a reproduction was made after this chair was donated to the Smithsonian.
- All in the Family was one of the most popular and influential television programs of the twentieth century. Before the series' 1970 premiere, most sitcoms had only lightly discussed political and social change, focusing instead on family matters and character foibles. Show creator Norman Lear wanted to produce television programming that depicted "real people dealing with real issues" and adapted the British series Till Death Do Us Part for CBS. Set in Queens, New York, All in the Family followed the working-class Bunker family: Archie (played by Caroll O'Connor), a blue-collar World War II veteran and outspoken conservative, kindhearted wife and mother Edith (played by Jean Stapleton), college-aged liberal feminist daughter Gloria (played by Sally Struthers), and her husband, progressive Michael "Meathead" Stivic (played by Rob Reiner), who frequently sparred with Archie over politics.
- Social conflicts of the day played out in the Bunkers' living room as the bigoted Archie clashed with his liberal son-in-law and his wife Edith struggled to keep the peace. With sharp but affectionate humor, the show exposed the flaws and complexities of one American family.
- Credit Line
- Gift of Tandem/TAT Productions
- before 1970
- ID Number
- 1978.2146.01
- accession number
- 1978.2146
- catalog number
- 1978.2146.01
- Object Name
- chair
- Object Type
- Chair
- Physical Description
- wood (frame; arms; legs; stretcher material)
- fabric (upholstery material)
- Measurements
- overall: 40 in x 26 in x 31 in; 101.6 cm x 66.04 cm x 78.74 cm
- Related Publication
- Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History
- National Museum of American History. Treasures of American History online exhibition
- Related Web Publication
- http://americanhistory.si.edu/treasures
- See more items in
- Cultural and Community Life: Entertainment
- National Treasures exhibit
- Domestic Furnishings
- Popular Entertainment
- Highlights from the Culture and the Arts Collection
- National Museum of American History
- subject
- Television
- All in the Family {Television Program}
- Television
- Record ID
- nmah_670097
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a4-c95d-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
Related Content
